Garment sensor connection arrangement having an electronics module releasably positioned within a socket

ABSTRACT

A garment includes a fabric portion, an electrode fixedly connected to the fabric portion, a receptacle fixedly connected to the fabric portion, and an electronics module releasably positioned in the receptacle. The receptacle includes a receptacle housing, an electrode lead, and a receptacle contact. The electrode lead is attached to the electrode. The electrode lead engages the receptacle contact to establish an electrical connection with the receptacle contact without being attached to the receptacle contact. The electronics module includes a module contact that engages the receptacle contact when the electronics module is positioned in the socket to establish an electrical connection between the module contact and the receptacle contact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/539,687, filed Sep. 27, 2011.

FIELD

This application relates to the field of athletic apparel, andparticularly to an electronic sensor arrangement on a garment or otheran item of apparel.

BACKGROUND

Sensor arrangements are commonly used to monitor various physiologicalparameters such as heart rate, temperature, breathing rate, etc. Thesesensor arrangements typically include various electronics componentsincluding electrodes, microprocessors, power devices, wired or wirelesscommunications interfaces, display devices, and related housings. Whilesuch sensor arrangements are often worn separate from the clothing ofthe monitored subject, it is increasingly common for such sensorarrangements to be incorporated into the clothing of the test subject.This allows the sensor arrangement to be quickly and convenientlypositioned on the test subject for data collection. Placement of sensorarrangements on the garment of the test subject also tends to be morecomfortable, as adhesives are not required to attach electrodes andother sensor arrangements to the skin of the test subject.

In sensor arrangements incorporated into articles of apparel, theelectronics components are sometimes completely separable from thearticle of apparel. For example, some watches have included releasableelectronics modules configured for placement in a socket provided on awristband. The electronics module and associated display may then beeasily moved to a socket provided on a different device such as anexercise machine. However, when such sensor arrangements with releasableelectronics components are incorporated into a garment to be worn on thetorso, the resulting arrangement is often bulky and uncomfortable forthe wearer. Moreover, the releasable electronics modules are oftendifficult to connect to or separate from the garment, making use of thesensor arrangement inconvenient for the wearer.

In other sensor arrangements, the electronics components may beinseparable from the garment. For example, some shirts, chest straps orbras include electronics components that are incorporated into thegarment such that the components cannot be removed from the garmentwithout destruction of the garment. In these arrangements, criticalelectronics components such as the microprocessor, power device, andtransmitter are potted in a polymer material that is fixed to thegarment material. The polymer material seals the electronics componentsand prevents moisture intrusion. Accordingly, these garments aredesigned for washing by hand or a machine without destruction of thesensor arrangement provided on the garment. However, in the event of asmall imperfection such as a crack or tear in the potting material,moisture may indeed seep into the potting material and short orotherwise destroy the electronics components of the electronics package.Such small imperfections may be the result of a manufacturing defect orwear of the garment and sensor arrangement over time.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a garment orother article of apparel including a sensor arrangement with areleasable electronics module that is comfortable for the wearer. Itwould be particularly advantageous if such electronics module could bequickly and easily released from or connected to the garment.Furthermore, it would be advantageous if such garment could berepeatedly washed without danger of damaging the sensitive electronicscomponents in the electronics module.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided agarment comprising a torso portion, at least one electrode positioned onthe torso portion, and a receptacle provided on the torso portion. Thereceptacle comprises a receptacle housing including a rear surface and afront surface with a socket formed in the front surface. The receptaclefurther comprises at least one electrode lead retained by the receptaclehousing. The at least one electrode lead includes a first portionconnected to the at least one electrode and a second portion extendingthrough a channel in the receptacle housing. The channel is elongated ina direction that extends substantially parallel to the rear surface ofthe receptacle housing. An electronics module is releasably positionedwithin the socket. The electronics module includes at least one modulecontact that is electrically connected to the electrode lead when theelectronics module is positioned within the socket.

Pursuant to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided agarment comprising a fabric portion, an electrode fixedly connected tothe fabric portion, a receptacle fixedly connected to the fabricportion, and an electronics module removably connected to thereceptacle. The receptacle comprises an electrode lead retained by areceptacle housing. The receptacle housing includes a front side and arear side with a socket defined on the front side of the receptaclehousing. The electrode lead is provided within the receptacle housingand includes a rear plate, an electrode connector extending from therear plate, and a finger extending from the rear plate separate from theelectrode connector. The electrode connector engages the electrode andthe finger extends through a channel in the receptacle housing. Theelectronics module includes a module contact retained by the modulehousing. A processor, a power device, and a transmitter are allpositioned within the module housing. When the electronics module ispositioned in the socket, the module contact is electrically connectedto the electrode lead and the electrode.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure, there isprovided a garment comprising a fabric portion, an electrode fixedlyconnected to the fabric portion, a receptacle fixedly connected to thefabric portion, and an electronics module releasably positioned in thereceptacle. The receptacle comprises a receptacle housing, an electrodelead, and a receptacle contact. The electrode lead is fixedly connectedto the electrode. The electrode lead engages the receptacle contact toestablish an electrical connection with the receptacle contact withoutbeing attached to the receptacle contact. The electronics moduleincludes a module contact that engages the receptacle contact when theelectronics module is positioned in the socket to establish anelectrical connection between the module contact and the receptaclecontact.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, willbecome more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art byreference to the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings. While it would be desirable to provide a garment with a sensorconnection arrangement that provides one or more of these or otheradvantageous features, the teachings disclosed herein extend to thoseembodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims,regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentionedadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a front outside view of a garment with a sensorarrangement including a releasable electronics module;

FIG. 1B shows a front inside view of the garment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the garment along line II-II ofFIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 shows an rear view of a sensor band including receptacle andelectrodes in isolation from the garment of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of an electrode lead of thereceptacle in engagement with the electrode of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged rear view of the electrode lead of FIG. 4positioned in the receptacle;

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of an electronics moduleconfigured for placement in the receptacle of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the electronics module of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the electronics module throughline IX-IX of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a garment 10 is comprised of fabricportions 12 with a sensor arrangement 14 attached to one of the fabricportions 12. The sensor arrangement 14 includes electrodes 16electrically connected to a receptacle 20, with the electrodes 16 andthe receptacle 20 bonded to the garment 10 in a non-removable manner. Anelectronics module 22 is removably connected to the receptacle 20.

The fabric portions 12 of the garment may include a plurality of fabricpanels connected together to form the garment. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1A and 1B, the fabric panels include a front panel 24 and a rearpanel 26 that together form a torso portion 28 for the garment. Thetorso portion 28 includes a neck opening 30, arm openings 32, and awaist opening 34. As shown in FIG. 1A, the receptacle 20 of the sensorarrangement 14 is positioned near a central location on the front of thetorso portion 28 that corresponds to a location near the heart of awearer, such as a chest portion of the garment 10. Similarly, as shownin FIG. 1B, the electrodes 16 of the sensor arrangement are positionedon the inside of the torso portion 28 at the chest portion, with the twoelectrodes 16 located on opposite sides of the receptacle 20.

The electrodes 16 are included on a sensor band 36 that extendslaterally along the inside of the torso portion. The electrodes 16include sensing pads 38 and conductive elements, such as conductivefibers 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that connect the sensor pads 38 to thereceptacle 20. As shown in FIG. 1B, the sensing pads 38 are exposed onthe interior surface of the garment 10 and are configured to detectelectrical signals on the skin of a wearer, such as heart rate or ECGsignals, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.The sensing pads 38 are connected to the conductive fibers 40 thatextend laterally along the sensor band 36 and are configured to deliverelectrical signals from the sensing pads 38 to the receptacle 20. Theconductive fibers 40 may be any of various electrically conductiveelements, including metal wire or electrically conductive textilefibers, such as silver coated elastane fibers.

As shown in FIG. 2, the conductive fibers 40 are generally positionedbetween an inner fabric layer 42 and an outer fabric layer 44 of thesensor band 36, thus shielding the conductive fibers 40 from electricalnoise. Either the inner fabric layer 42 or the outer fabric layer 44 maybe provided as a strip of fabric that only covers the sensor band 36,while leaving the inner sensing pads 38 exposed. An intermediate layer43 may also be positioned between the inner fabric layer 42 and theouter fabric layer 44. However, it will be recognized that variousalternative embodiments are also possible. For example, the conductivefibers 40 may be woven or otherwise integrated into a single textilelayer on the garment. Furthermore, the layers need not be fabrics ortextiles, and in at least one alternative embodiment, one or more of thelayers are comprised of a polymer material.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the electrodes 16 (i.e., a view from insideof the garment 10) with the electrode 16 isolated from the fabric layers42, 44 of the garment 10. The electrodes 16 include a first electrode 16a and a second electrode 16 b positioned on opposite sides of thereceptacle 20. Accordingly, the first electrode 16 a and the secondelectrode 16 b are electrically separated from one another on thegarment 10. A measurable potential difference is thus produced betweenthe first electrode 16 a and the second electrode 16 b (e.g., an ECGsignal which is measured with the electronics components within theelectronics module 22).

With continued reference now to FIG. 3, the electrodes 16 are coupled tothe rear side of the receptacle 20 via two electrode leads 50 retainedwithin a receptacle housing 70. In particular, the two electrode leads50 are crimped to the electrodes 16 to establish an electricalconnection between the electrodes 16 and the electrode leads 50. Theelectrodes 16 are coupled to the leads 50 near a middle of thereceptacle 20 (i.e., about half way between vertical top and verticalbottom of the receptacle when oriented as shown in FIG. 3). Accordingly,both the electrodes 16 and the leads 50 are centrally located at theside perimeter portions on the rear side of the receptacle housing 70.This arrangement is advantageous for manufacture of the sensorarrangement14, allowing the electrodes to be easily coupled to the sidesof the receptacle 20 without the need to extend further into thereceptacle. In the disclosed embodiment, the electrodes only extend afew millimeters past the rear edges of the receptacle housing beforethey come into contact with the leads 50.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each electrode lead 50 includes a rear plate52, two electrode connectors in the form of peripheral tangs 54extending from one side of the rear plate 52, and a leaf spring 60extending from the opposite side of the rear plate 52. The twoperipheral tangs 54 provide are generally E-shaped members with longerouter arms 56 and a shorter center arm 58 connected along a spine 59.The ends of the longer outer arms 56 are connected to the rear plate 52and the end of the shorter center arm 58 is free from the rear plate.Each tang 54 extends through a hole 46 in the electrode 16. The longerarms 56 of the tang 54 are bent to an extent that the spine 59 engagesthe surface of the electrode. In particular, each tang 54 is fastened tothe electrode by crimping the tang 54 to the electrode with a strongforce during assembly such that the rear plate 52 closely engages therear surface of the electrode 16 and the E-shaped tangs 54 closelyengage the front surface of the electrode 16. As a result, eachelectrode 16 is fastened to an associated electrode lead 50, and a firmelectrical and mechanical connection is established between eachelectrode 16 and the associated electrode lead 50. Additionally, tofurther establish a good connection between each electrode 16 and theassociated electrode lead 50, in at least one embodiment a thin layer ofconductive adhesive is provided between the electrode 16 and the rearplate 52 and/or the tangs 54 of the electrode lead 50. Moreover,although not shown in FIG. 4, the tangs 54 may include sharp edges orother elements to provide for solid and continuous contact to thematerial forming the electrode 16.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the leaf spring 60 is provided on anopposite side of the electrode lead 50 from the tangs 54. The leafspring 60 includes a bend portion 62 with an elongated curved finger 64extending from the bend portion. The bend portion 62 connects the leafspring 60 to the rear plate 52 and generally orients the leaf spring 60about 90° relative to the rear plate 52. The finger 64 flares away fromthe rear plate 52 as moving toward an end 66 of the finger 64.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an enlarged view of the electrode lead 50is shown positioned in the receptacle housing 70. The receptacle housing70 generally provides a structure to retain the various components ofthe receptacle 20, including the electrode leads 50 and receptaclecontacts 80 provided by connection pins (also referenced herein asreference numeral 80). The receptacle housing 70 is comprised of anon-conductive, durable and relatively resilient polymer material, suchas polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, poly-vinyl chloride or anyof various other durable and generally resilient materials.

The rear side of the receptacle housing 70 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5)is a substantially flat surface configured to conform to the contours ofthe wearer's chest, since this rear side faces the body of the wearer.This rear side of the receptacle housing 70 is also bonded to the fabricportions 12 of the garment 10, and particularly the outer surface of thefabric. This bonding may be accomplished using any of various means aswill be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, including theuse of adhesives, heat welding, stitching, or any of various othermeans. Because the rear side of the receptacle housing 70 is attached tothe fabric of the garment 10, the opposing front side of the receptaclehousing 70 faces away from the body of the wearer and is exposed on theoutside of the garment 10. The front side of the receptacle housing 70(as shown in FIG. 6) is more contoured than the rear side and configuredto receive and retain the electronics module 22, as explained in furtherdetail below.

With particular reference to FIG. 5, when the electrode lead 50 ispositioned in the receptacle housing 70, the rear plate 52 of theelectrode lead 50 is exposed on the rear of the receptacle housing 70.The finger 64 extends through a channel 72 in the receptacle housing 70that curves and generally follows the same contour of the finger 64. Thechannel 72 does not bore through the receptacle housing 70, but isinstead oriented substantially parallel to the generally flat rearsurface of the receptacle housing 70. In other words, the channel 72 iselongated in a direction that extends substantially parallel to the rearsurface of the receptacle housing 70. The tangs 54 are positioned on theopposite side of the rear plate 52 and are crimped to the electrode 16in order to attach the electrode 16 to the electrode lead 50, asdescribed above.

The channel 72 in the receptacle housing 70 leads to a cavity 74. Oneend of a connection pin 80 is positioned in the cavity 74. Theconnection pin 80 is fixed in place within the receptacle housing 70 andincludes a first end 82 and a second end 84 (not shown in FIG. 5). Thefirst end 82 of the connection pin 80 includes a domed surface thatextends into the cavity 74. The finger 64 of the leaf spring 60 engagesthe domed surface on the connection pin 80 within the cavity 74 byabutment but is not attached to the connection pin. The surface of thefinger 64 that engages the connection pin 80 is relatively smooth. Thecombination of the domed surface of the connection pin 80 and the smoothsurface of the finger 64 allows the finger to be easily inserted intothe cavity 74 and establish a good electrical connection via theabutment between the electrode lead 50 and the connection pin 80. In atleast one embodiment, a bumper 76 is positioned in the channel 72. Thebumper 76 is integrally formed with the receptacle housing 70 andfurther helps in directing the finger 64 into proper engagement with theconnection pin 80 during assembly of the receptacle 20. Additionally,the bumper 76 helps maintain proper abutment of the finger 64 and theconnection pin 80 following repeated vibrations and impacts to thereceptacle during use.

FIG. 6 shows the front side of the receptacle housing 70 (i.e., thereverse side from that shown in FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 6, the frontside of the receptacle housing 70 includes a contoured base 90 with acentral perimeter 92. A socket 94 is defined on the front surface of thereceptacle housing 70 within the contoured base 90. An entrance to thesocket 94 is defined by the central perimeter 92 of the contoured base90. The central perimeter 92 defines a lip on the receptacle housing 70with the recess provided by the socket 94 extending behind the lip(i.e., under the lip when the receptacle 20 is viewed from a topposition). The socket 94 is further defined by a circular sidewall 96and a back wall 97 of the socket 94. While the circular sidewall 96 maybe formed in a perfectly circular shape, it will be recognized that theterm “circular” as used herein simply refers to a curved or annularshape that is substantially circuitous. A detent 98 is positioned in thesocket 94. The detent 98 is configured to engage features on theelectronics module 22, as explained in further detail below.

The receptacle 20 is configured to receive and retain the electronicsmodule 22 within the socket 94 and also facilitate electrical connectionbetween the electronics module 22 and the electrodes 16 of the sensorarrangement 14. Accordingly, the connection pin 80 that engages theelectrode leads 50 within the contoured base 90 also extends into thesocket 94. In particular, a second end 84 of each connection pin 80extends into the socket 94 through an opening in either the sidewall 96or the back wall 97 of the socket 94. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, thesecond end 84 of the connection pin 80 is provided on the back wall 97and at the base of the sidewall 96. Advantageously, this orientation andarrangement of the connection pin 80 allows contacts on the electronicsmodule 22 to make electrical connection with the receptacle 20 withoutposts or other electrical contact members extending directly into theback wall 97 of the socket and toward the wearer (i.e., the electricalcontact members are not perpendicular to the back wall 97 and the chestof the wearer). This provides an added safety feature for the sensorarrangement 14 disclosed herein. Instead of an orientation with anelongated electrical contact being perpendicular to the wearer (and theback wall 97 of the socket 94), the connection pin 80 disclosed hereinis substantially parallel to the back wall 97 of the socket 94.Moreover, insertion and removal of the electronics module 22 from thereceptacle 20 is made easier in the disclosed embodiment by the designof the electrical contacts near or in the sidewall 96 of the socket 94.

In the disclosed embodiment, the second end 84 of the connection pin 80that extends into the socket is substantially smooth and flat with arelatively large surface area to facilitate engagement with a contact onthe electronics module 22. However, it will be appreciated that in otherembodiments the ends of the connection pin 80 may be any of variousshapes. Moreover, it will be recognized to those of ordinary skill inthe art that the connection pin 80 may be replaced with any otheradequate electrical conductor, and need not be provided in the shape ofa pin or other post-like member.

The electrode leads 50 may be positioned within the receptacle housing70 using any of various methods. For example, the electrode leads 50 maybe insert molded, press-fit or otherwise molded or inserted into thereceptacle housing during manufacture of the receptacle 20. In at leastone embodiment, the electrode leads are inserted into the receptaclehousing by threading the finger 64 through the associated channel 72 ofthe receptacle housing 70, past the bumper 76 and into an interferencefit with the connection pin 80 in the cavity 74 of the receptaclehousing. Thereafter, or before insertion of the finger 64 through thechannel 72, the tangs 54 are inserted through the holes 46 in theelectrodes 16 and crimped around the electrode material.

With reference now to FIGS. 7-9, the electronics module 22 is shown. Theelectronics module 22 includes a microprocessor 102, power device in theform of a power cell 104, and electronic transceiver 106 all containedwithin a module housing 100. The module housing 100 is generally discshaped and includes a rounded outer face 110, a substantially flat innerface 112, and a circular sidewall 114 with a medial groove 116. Theinner face 112 is configured for insertion into the socket 94 in thereceptacle housing 70. The medial groove 116 is defined between an outerrim 118 and an inner rim 120 on the circular sidewall 114. The medialgroove 116 is adapted to receive the central perimeter 92 of thereceptacle housing 70 when the inner face 112 of the electronic module22 is inserted into the socket 94. In other words, the central perimeter92 of the receptacle housing 70 is positioned between the outer rim 118and the inner rim 120 of the medial groove 116 when the electronicsmodule 22 is seated in the receptacle 20. As a result, the outer face110 and the outer rim 118 of the electronics module 22 are positionedoutside of the socket 94, but the inner face 112 and the inner rim 120are positioned inside of the socket 94 when the electronics module 22 isseated in the receptacle 20.

With continued reference to FIGS. 7-9, the inner rim 120 of the modulehousing 100 further includes two contacts 130 that provide an electricalconnection to the microprocessor 102 inside the electronics module 22.Each contact 130 is provided as a small pin that extends outward fromthe inner rim 120 of the circular sidewall 114 on the electronics module22 and is retained by the module housing 100. The contacts 130 may bespring biased or fixed in place on the circular sidewall. Each contact130 has a dome shaped end portion that is configured to engage therelatively flat second end 84 of the connection pin 80 in the receptacle20. As discussed previously, the contacts 130 may be oriented to extendoutward from the circular sidewall 114 because of the arrangement of theelectrical conductors in the receptacle 20 including the electrode leads50 and the connection pins 80 that facilitate a sidewall electricalconnection to the electronics module 22.

An orientation recess 140 is also provided on the inner rim 120 of thecircular sidewall 114 on the electronics module 22. The orientationrecess 140 is configured to engage the detent 98 in the socket 94 of thereceptacle housing 70 and properly orient the electronics module 22 whenit is inserted into the receptacle 20. In particular, when the detent 98is received within the orientation recess 140, the contacts 130 on theelectronics module 22 are properly aligned with the connection pin 80 inthe socket 94 of the receptacle 20, and an electronic connection isestablished between the electronics module 22 and the receptacle 20 andassociated electrodes 16.

The outer rim 118 of the electronics module 22 further includes an uppertab 122 designed to facilitate easy removal of the electronics module 22from the receptacle 20. Because the outer rim 118 is positioned abovethe central perimeter 92 of the receptacle housing 70, the user mayeasily engage the rear of the upper tab 122 with his or her finger andforce the upper tab 122 away from the receptacle 20. When sufficientforce is applied, the medial groove 116 of the module housing 100 isreleased from the central perimeter 92 of the receptacle housing 70 andthe electronics module 22 is dislodged from its seat in the receptacle20.

The foregoing components provide an improved arrangement and method ofcreating electrical connections between an electronics package which isremovable from a receiver which is non-removably bonded to a shirt orother garment. The foregoing detailed description of one or moreembodiments of the garment with an electronic housing and sensorconnection arrangement has been presented herein by way of example onlyand not limitation. It will be recognized that there are advantages tocertain individual features and functions described herein that may beobtained without incorporating other features and functions describedherein. Moreover, it will be recognized that various alternatives,modifications, variations, or improvements of the above-disclosedembodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof,may be desirably combined into many other different embodiments, systemsor applications. For example, various alternative materials may be usedin different embodiments of the invention. Additionally, while thereceptacle and electronics module have been described herein withrespect to a heart rate monitor, it will be appreciated that thearrangement could be used with any different number of sensorarrangements that include or do not include a heart rate monitor.Presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by thoseskilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by theappended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of any appended claimsshould not be limited to the description of the embodiments containedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment comprising: a torso portion; at leastone electrode positioned on the torso portion; a receptacle provided onthe torso portion, the receptacle comprising a receptacle housingincluding a rear surface and a front surface with a socket formed in thefront surface, the receptacle further comprising at least one electrodelead retained by the receptacle housing, the at least one electrode leadincluding a first portion connected to the at least one electrode and asecond portion extending through a channel in the receptacle housing,the channel is elongated in a direction that extends parallel to therear surface of the receptacle housing; and an electronics modulereleasably positioned within the socket, the electronics moduleincluding at least one module contact, wherein the at least one modulecontact is electrically connected to the electrode lead when theelectronics module is positioned within the socket.
 2. The garment ofclaim 1, the receptacle further comprising at least one receptaclecontact engaging the electrode lead, the receptacle contact furtherengaging the at least one module contact when the electronics module ispositioned in the socket.
 3. The garment of claim 2 wherein the at leastone receptacle contact is a connection pin that is elongated in adirection that extends parallel to the rear surface of the receptaclehousing such that at least a portion of the rear surface of thereceptacle housing is parallel to the elongated direction defined by theconnection pin.
 4. The garment of claim 2 wherein the electronics moduleincludes a circular sidewall and the module contact extends outward fromthe circular sidewall.
 5. The garment of claim 1 wherein a socketentrance is defined by a circular lip on the front surface of thereceptacle, and wherein the electronics module includes a circulargroove formed in a circular sidewall, the circular lip of the receptacleengaging the circular groove when the electronics module is positionedwithin the socket.
 6. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first portionof the electrode lead includes at least one tang crimped onto the atleast one electrode.
 7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the secondportion of the electrode lead includes a finger extending through thechannel.
 8. The garment of claim 7, the receptacle further comprising atleast one receptacle contact engaging the electrode lead, wherein thefinger is a curved finger with a substantially smooth surface thatengages a domed end of the receptacle contact in a cavity of thereceptacle housing.
 9. The garment of claim 8 further comprising abumper positioned in the channel, the bumper configured to urge thecurved finger into engagement with the domed end of the receptaclecontact.
 10. The garment of claim 1 wherein the electrode lead includesa rear plate positioned against the rear surface of the receptaclehousing, the first portion of the electrode lead positioned on one sideof the rear plate and the second portion of the electrode leadpositioned on an opposite side of the rear plate.
 11. A garmentcomprising: a fabric portion; an electrode fixedly connected to thefabric portion; a receptacle fixedly connected to the fabric portion,the receptacle comprising a receptacle housing, an electrode lead, and areceptacle contact, the electrode lead attached to the electrode, theelectrode lead including a tang extending through a hole in theelectrode, the electrode lead engaging the receptacle contact toestablish an electrical connection between the electrode lead and thereceptacle contact without being attached to the receptacle contact; andan electronics module releasably positioned in the receptacle, theelectronics module including a module contact, the module contactengaging the receptacle contact when the electronics module ispositioned in the receptacle to establish an electrical connectionbetween the module contact and the receptacle contact.
 12. The garmentof claim 11, the electrode lead including a finger and the receptaclecontact engaging the finger of the electrode lead.
 13. The garment ofclaim 12 wherein the receptacle contact is a connection pin that iselongated in a direction that extends parallel to a rear surface of thereceptacle housing such that at least a portion of the rear surface ofthe receptacle housing is parallel to the elongated direction defined bythe connection pin.
 14. The garment of claim 11 wherein the electronicsmodule includes a circular sidewall and the module contact extendsoutward from the circular sidewall.
 15. The garment of claim 11 whereinan entrance is defined by a circular lip on a front side of thereceptacle housing, and wherein the electronics module includes acircular groove formed in a circular sidewall, the circular lip of thereceptacle housing engaging the circular groove when the electronicsmodule is positioned within the receptacle.
 16. The garment of claim 11wherein the tang is crimped onto the electrode.
 17. The garment of claim11, the at least one receptacle contact engaging a finger of theelectrode lead in a cavity of the receptacle housing.
 18. The garment ofclaim 17 further comprising a bumper positioned in a channel of thereceptacle housing, the bumper configured to urge the finger intoengagement with the receptacle contact.
 19. The garment of claim 18wherein the channel is elongated in a direction that extends parallel toa flat surface on a rear side of the receptacle housing.
 20. The garmentof claim 11 wherein the fabric portion is provided on a torso portion ofthe garment.